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Facts about Smoke Alarms

When a fire occurs in a home, smoke is the biggest threat to people’s lives. However, the risk for anyone to lose their life in a home fire is cut in half when there are working smoke alarms in the home. Simply put, smoke alarms save lives. Here are other important facts about smoke alarms:

According to The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), 60% of home fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms.

Nearly 75% of all U.S. homes have at least one working smoke alarm.

In 50% of the reported fires in homes that had smoke alarms, the alarms did not sound because they were disconnected or had no batteries.

Most home fire fatalities happen when people are asleep (between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.). Smoke alarms help occupants wake up and escape the fire.

Smoke alarms provide more safety if they are interconnected throughout the entire home, on all floors.

Smoke alarms should be kept at least 10 feet away from the stove or oven.

Smoke alarms should be tested every month (by pushing the test button) and replaced every 10 years.

Alkaline batteries should be replaced at least once a year.

There are two types of smoke alarms (both kinds should be used in homes):

Ionization smoke alarms warn about flaming fires more quickly.

Photoelectric smoke alarms are quicker to warn about smoldering fires.

Although smoke alarms help increase your safety by making you aware of a home fire, they don’t provide sufficient protection against house fires. Install a fire sprinkler system to greatly reduce the chances of a fire spreading in your home. For professional fire, water and mold restoration services, contact your local PuroClean office.

PuroClean is a leading commercial and residential restoration franchising company. Founded in 2001, the company offers fire and water cleanup and restoration services, mold mitigation and remediation, and biohazard cleanup and removal throughout the United States and Canada through its franchise network of 240 offices. Learn more.